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Gaijin · 30 September 2013, 10:21 AM

So I am. I rarely go into ADs anymore as the greys here in Japan are too abundant and the ADs can be a bit stuffy.

However just came back from vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii. My Girl sees an AD and points it out as we were driving to dinner one night. Pulled in and walked in and was overwhelmed by the old school hospitatiliy I recieved.

Greeted immediately by Francis Ogawa behind the counter. He was happy to have us and let us try on anything and everything we wanted. DD IIs, new YM, Ceramic Daytonas, on and on. We spent over an hour in there and actually had to force ourselves to leave so thay they could close up. Francis would have let us try on Rolex for hours more. He was super knowledgeable and even schooled me on some arcane Rolex information. Something I have never experienced at an AD. Super nice guy and I suspect ,no I know that he knew we were not going to buy. Did not matter to him. He was happy to have us.

So if you ever find yourself on the Big Island of Hawaii check out Francis at Baron & Leeds in the King's Shops at Waikaloa Beach Resort.

By the way he reads this Forum, So Francis if you are out there come on in and join the fun.

Thanks for the great hospitality.

77T · 30 September 2013, 10:26 AM

Great story...that's how I feel about our local AD, too.
Tara Fine Jewelry - staff is always nice and we often compare vintage models they've taken in on trade...

superdog · 30 September 2013, 10:28 AM

Nice.

Frosty · 30 September 2013, 10:32 AM

soaking.fused · 30 September 2013, 10:49 AM

Awesome story and much appreciated for sharing. Great to hear these anecdotes.

Sent from a guy wearing a watch.

Urosfan · 30 September 2013, 11:21 AM

Nice post

iazrollie · 30 September 2013, 11:27 AM

That's the spirit of aloha. The baron and Leeds on Maui is equally as awesome.

GradyPhilpott · 30 September 2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaijin

If you meet a good AD I think you should say so...

Beauchamp Jewelers

jmusser3r · 30 September 2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iazrollie

That's the spirit of aloha. The baron and Leeds on Maui is equally as awesome.

Couldn't agree more! I went in to that store when I was 15 years old and got to try on a WG Rolex GMT II with diamonds all over it...it was about a 90k watch and they were excited to let me try it on. Granted at that time I had an awful lot of knowledge about watches for my age but it was still really nice of them to do.

cop414 · 30 September 2013, 11:35 AM

Great story Tom, thanks for sharing.

Hairdude1 · 30 September 2013, 02:51 PM

Great story! Thanks for sharing

opaline460 · 30 September 2013, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairdude1

great story! Thanks for sharing

x2

mikkolopez · 30 September 2013, 05:26 PM

That's nice of him. I might go there when I'm in the islands.

travisb · 30 September 2013, 06:57 PM

Nice to hear about the positives.

If you find a good AD, it can be a very pleasurable shopping / looking experience.

crowncollection · 30 September 2013, 07:19 PM

Great to hear a good story

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

crew · 30 September 2013, 07:45 PM

Good story.
It's nice to hear such a positive experience. Thanks for sharing.

Andad · 30 September 2013, 07:48 PM

Nice post Tom.

Now pop back and grab that RG ceramic Daytona.

Chris B · 30 September 2013, 08:13 PM

Thanks for sharing Tom

Rags · 30 September 2013, 10:31 PM

Great story.. Now there is a AD who knows how to do business.

Cc1966 · 30 September 2013, 10:44 PM

I do enjoy my AD also, love to hear the good stories...

VICI · 30 September 2013, 11:17 PM

So did you buy anything? :)

Reu · 30 September 2013, 11:21 PM

Sounds like a great AD!

dpkong · 30 September 2013, 11:45 PM

An AD like that would make me feel so bad, I'd have to buy something before I leave.

mjclark32 · 1 October 2013, 12:04 AM

Good to hear

Rolexitis · 1 October 2013, 12:07 AM

Allbrittons Jewelers

Trouble15 · 1 October 2013, 12:15 AM

Great story & a great AD!

DJJon · 1 October 2013, 05:51 AM

Great story, like the way you helped get out the word. I do too after terrific AD visits.

SALTY · 1 October 2013, 08:37 AM

Wow, great experience; thanks for sharing.

If I ever meet a good AD, I'll be sure to post up.

In the mean time ...

Racerdj · 1 October 2013, 08:40 AM

Great story!

mike · 1 October 2013, 08:45 AM

Great story and couldn't agree more.

A good AD is a treasure. Mine is super knowledgeable and really goes out of his way to help me.

30 September 2013, 10:21 AM	#1
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,179	If you meet a good AD I think you should say so... So I am. I rarely go into ADs anymore as the greys here in Japan are too abundant and the ADs can be a bit stuffy. However just came back from vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii. My Girl sees an AD and points it out as we were driving to dinner one night. Pulled in and walked in and was overwhelmed by the old school hospitatiliy I recieved. Greeted immediately by Francis Ogawa behind the counter. He was happy to have us and let us try on anything and everything we wanted. DD IIs, new YM, Ceramic Daytonas, on and on. We spent over an hour in there and actually had to force ourselves to leave so thay they could close up. Francis would have let us try on Rolex for hours more. He was super knowledgeable and even schooled me on some arcane Rolex information. Something I have never experienced at an AD. Super nice guy and I suspect ,no I know that he knew we were not going to buy. Did not matter to him. He was happy to have us. So if you ever find yourself on the Big Island of Hawaii check out Francis at Baron & Leeds in the King's Shops at Waikaloa Beach Resort. By the way he reads this Forum, So Francis if you are out there come on in and join the fun. Thanks for the great hospitality.

30 September 2013, 10:26 AM	#2
77T 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: PaulG Location: Georgia Posts: 42,015	Great story...that's how I feel about our local AD, too. Tara Fine Jewelry - staff is always nice and we often compare vintage models they've taken in on trade... __________________ Does anyone really know what time it is?

30 September 2013, 10:28 AM	#3
superdog 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Real Name: Seth Location: nj Watch: Omega Posts: 24,834	Nice. __________________ If happiness is a state of mind, why look anywhere else for it? IG: gsmotorclub IG: thesawcollection (Both mostly just car stuff)

30 September 2013, 11:27 AM	#7
iazrollie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Ian Location: NY Watch: All of them Posts: 3,245	That's the spirit of aloha. The baron and Leeds on Maui is equally as awesome. __________________ Rolex, PPs, Breitling

30 September 2013, 11:35 AM	#10
cop414 TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Tim Location: Pennsylvania Watch: 14060M Posts: 72,234	Great story Tom, thanks for sharing. __________________ Rolex Submariner 14060M Omega Seamaster 2254.50 DOXA Professional 1200T Card carrying member of TRF's Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons TRF's "After Dark" Bar & NightClub Patron P Club Member #17 2 FA ENABLED

30 September 2013, 10:32 AM	#4
Frosty 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Larry Location: So Cal Watch: Rolex GMT 1675 Posts: 5,087

30 September 2013, 10:49 AM	#5
soaking.fused "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ohio Watch: GMT Posts: 54	Awesome story and much appreciated for sharing. Great to hear these anecdotes. Sent from a guy wearing a watch.

30 September 2013, 11:21 AM	#6
Urosfan "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Watch: Me now Posts: 19,372	Nice post

30 September 2013, 02:51 PM	#11
Hairdude1 "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Chicago Watch: AP,PP, Rolex Posts: 37,156	Great story! Thanks for sharing

30 September 2013, 05:26 PM	#13
mikkolopez "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Philippines Posts: 2,301	That's nice of him. I might go there when I'm in the islands.

30 September 2013, 06:57 PM	#14
travisb 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Travis Location: FL / NYC Watch: Yes.. Posts: 33,489	Nice to hear about the positives. If you find a good AD, it can be a very pleasurable shopping / looking experience.

30 September 2013, 07:19 PM	#15
crowncollection "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: David Location: australia Posts: 20,216	Great to hear a good story Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free __________________ watches many

30 September 2013, 07:45 PM	#16
crew "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Real Name: John Location: Rochester/Naples Watch: Pepsi Posts: 18,307	Good story. It's nice to hear such a positive experience. Thanks for sharing.

30 September 2013, 07:48 PM	#17
Andad 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Eddie Location: Australia Watch: A few. Posts: 37,526	Nice post Tom. Now pop back and grab that RG ceramic Daytona. __________________ E

30 September 2013, 08:13 PM	#18
Chris B "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peterborough Posts: 9,631	Thanks for sharing Tom

30 September 2013, 10:31 PM	#19
Rags 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Real Name: Chuck Location: SW Florida Watch: 16233,16610,214270 Posts: 11,196	Great story.. Now there is a AD who knows how to do business. __________________ 16233 Y Serial Datejust 16610 Z Serial Submariner 214270 Explorer *114300 Oyster Perpetual* *76200 Tudor Date+Day*

30 September 2013, 10:44 PM	#20
Cc1966 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Real Name: Christopher Location: Georgia, USA Watch: ing the Sea... Posts: 6,713	I do enjoy my AD also, love to hear the good stories... __________________ "I wish to have no Connection with any Ship that does not Sail fast for I intend to go in harm's way." Captain John Paul Jones, 16 November 1778 "*Curmudgeons* " Favorites: 1665 SD, Sub Date, DSSD, Exp II, Sub LV, GMTIIc

30 September 2013, 11:17 PM	#21
VICI "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2012 Real Name: Alex Location: Gotham City Watch: IG: Mr_Right_NYC Posts: 5,672	So did you buy anything? :)

30 September 2013, 11:21 PM	#22
Reu Banned Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London Posts: 1,152	Sounds like a great AD!

30 September 2013, 11:45 PM	#23
dpkong "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Don Location: Borneo Watch: it! Posts: 864	An AD like that would make me feel so bad, I'd have to buy something before I leave.

1 October 2013, 12:04 AM	#24
mjclark32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: MJC Location: PHL USA Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP Posts: 29,232	Good to hear __________________

1 October 2013, 12:07 AM	#25
Rolexitis "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2008 Real Name: Matt Location: Earth Watch: 114060 Posts: 3,203	Allbrittons Jewelers __________________ Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

1 October 2013, 12:15 AM	#26
Trouble15 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: USA Watch: A few Posts: 8,883	Great story & a great AD!

1 October 2013, 05:51 AM	#27
DJJon "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Jon Location: USA Watch: DJ - Need Sub Bad Posts: 1,889	Great story, like the way you helped get out the word. I do too after terrific AD visits.

1 October 2013, 08:37 AM	#28
SALTY "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Watch: Your Six Posts: 1,500	Wow, great experience; thanks for sharing. If I ever meet a good AD, I'll be sure to post up. In the mean time ... __________________ Time and tide wait for no man.

1 October 2013, 08:40 AM	#29
Racerdj 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Indianapolis Watch: Patek-Philippe Posts: 16,832	Great story! __________________ Rolex and Patek Philippe

1 October 2013, 08:45 AM	#30
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Great story and couldn't agree more. A good AD is a treasure. Mine is super knowledgeable and really goes out of his way to help me.

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